Changing Lanes 28

>Well it's no secret what she's here to talk about, huh?
>Luna looks over at you, unimpressed with your quip.
>"Rainbow Dash, would you feel more comfortable discussing your matters without Anonymous present?"
>Her eyes still on you since she noticed your presence, Rainbow Dash is silent for a moment.
>Abruptly, her expression hardens, a look of determination taking hold.
>"No, it's alright. Actually Princess Luna, by personal matters, I meant about you. You and Anonymous."
>"Oh?"
>Told you.
>Suddenly, you feel a tightness in your chest, as if you can't breathe.
>As soon as it appears, it goes away, leaving just a feeling of intense anxiety in its wake.
>[Enough, Anonymous.]
>Luna looks at you out of the corner of her eye.
>You slump down in your cushion.
>"Yes, Princess. You see, this morni-"
>A burst of fire interrupts Rainbow Dash, a scroll falling to the floor in front of Luna.
>Luna picks it up, her magic unrolling it and bringing it to her eye level
>"Apologies, Rainbow Dash, it is a letter from my sister."
"Where is she at?"
>"Princess Celestia is in Pintonesia. Their land was wracked by a terrible earthquake a few days ago, and my sister is seeing what aid we can offer them in their time of need."
>After a moment of silence, she quickly rolls the scroll back up and rises to her hooves.
>"My sincerest apologies Rainbow Dash, but I am needed by my sister this instant."
"What is it Luna?"
>She turns her head towards you.
>"Nothing to be concerned about, I will return by dusk. Perhaps you and Rainbow Dash can discuss matters while I am away?"
>You and Dash look at each other, sharing an expression of uncertainty.
"Maybe."
>Without a word, Luna disappears in a flash.
"So, you wanna talk about this thing since it involves me?"
>Rainbow frowns at your inquiry.
>"What are you even doing here at this time of the day?"
>You shrug.
>Time to crack this thing wide open.
"Luna was bored, she asked me to tag along, it was only by coincidence you came here to tell her about Twilight and me."
>She gasps.
>"There is a thing between the two of you! I knew I wasn't crazy when I had been watching the two of you the last few weeks!"
>It is your turn to frown as Rainbow realizes what she just said.
"Really? Spying on us?"
>She balks at your accusation, attempting to backtrack.
>"I was just curious how Twilight was trying to work with and tutor you on magic abilities. That's all."
"Spying is still spying no matter how you spin it."
>"Well, I'm not the one having an affair behind one of the Royal Sisters!"
>You shake your head.
"Rainbow, she knows about it. She's known about it since day one. And really, it's not even that serious between Twilight and me."
>You can tell she doesn't believe you.
"Do you really think I or anyone else could hide something like that from one of the princesses? I don't think you understand how much the two of them seem to know about ALL the happenings in Equestria."
>Dash reflects upon your words in silence before her brow furrows, more questions brewing within.
>"But, if that's true, why didn't you tell me? I thought I was your friend. And Twilight's friend."
"I know, I know. That was Twilight's decision. Not mine. She still has a lot of anxiety over how something like that would be taken by her friends. You know how she can be a bundle of nerves."
>"So, how long has this been going on?"
>You stand up and stretch.
"Since we went to that abandoned castle a few months ago."
>"So, you're special someponies with Luna AND Twilight?"
"I guess so."
>Rainbow gags.
>"Why is everypony turning into a softie around here?"
"Your brashness has to be balanced out somehow, I suppose."
>"By brashness, I assume you mean awesomeness."
"Whatever you say."
>Rainbow puffs her chest outward with pride, then suddenly grits her teeth.
>"But Twilight and me are gonna have a talk about this!"
>You pat her on the head.
"Just take it easy on her, please?"
>Rainbow waves you off.
>"Fine, fine, sure. So, what are you going to do now?"
>You look around the empty room.
"I guess I'll just wander the castle till Luna gets back. She should only be a few hours at most. Plus I don't have any transport since she flew me here."
>"You could always take the train back to Ponyville, you know."
"Yeah, which would be a two hour ride, at least. By the time I got home, Luna would show up."
>"Well, have fun here, I guess. I should get back to Cloudsdale, I'm on lunch break."
"Have fun at work, Dashie."
>Rainbow cringes.
>Just as she's about to take off, she stops and turns back.
>"So you said Twilight and you aren't really that serious. What does that even mean?"
"I don't know. We just aren't quite as ... intimately close as Luna and I."
>"Wait, have you and Luna..."
>Rainbow make an odd face.
>It isn't hard to figure out what she is trying to ask as you think back to the night of the Grand Galloping Gala.
>You feel a bit awkward about discussing this.
"Uh, I don't follow what you're trying to ask?"
>She sees right through your charade.
>"Ewwww, you have with her!"
>Dash gags as you can't help but laugh.
"Why did you ask if you didn't want to know the answer?"
>"I didn't think it would be a yes!"
"Just stay out of the back seat of the Superbird and you'll be fine."
>"Gah! I'm going back to work!"
>Rainbow zips off in a blur as you continue to laugh.

>"Anonymous, were you asleep the whole time I was away?"
"No."
>Actually you had been. It only took a half hour for you to get bored of wandering around Canterlot Castle.
>Now as you rub your eyes and look out the window of Luna's bedroom, you see dusk is beginning to fall on Equestria.
>Luna climbs up onto her bed, where you are laying.
"So, is everything alright with your sister?"
>The night princess rolls her eyes.
>"Yes, it was nothing serious, not like she made it out to be in her letter."
"What was it?"
>Luna grins at you.
>"Well aren't you just being a nosy one?"
"Well, yeah. I'm actually surprised you are being nosy about how the situation with Rainbow Dash went."
>"Rainbow Dash?"
>The puzzled look she gives you causes you the same feeling.
"Uh, yeah. You know, the 'personal' matters she came to discuss, right before you left?"
>"Oh, that. Slipped my mind, I guess."
>Luna moves in closer to you.
>"Never mind those trivial matters, though."
>An intense feeling like pins and needles in the back of your head causes you to cringe and recoil away from Luna.
>"What's wrong?"
"I don't know, I just all of a sudden-"
>The sensations intensify into an all out, mind-breaking pain.
"I.. I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
>You stumble off the bed, as Luna eyes you with concern.
>The sensation doesn't dissipate as you walk down the hall to the bathroom, closing the door and locking it.
>Turning on the faucet, you splash your face with water as the sensation dies away.
>As you rise back upright, your reflection in the mirror makes you jump.
>Nightmare Moon.
"What the fuck? You?"
>"Shut up and listen to me. That is NOT Luna out there, you need to leave NOW."
"I thought you couldn't show your ugly mug unless I was dreaming? Is this a dream?"
>Your 'reflection' is quickly beginning to lose what composure it had.
>"You do not realize how much effort it has taken for me to do this, and you cannot even begin to believe what danger you are in if you do not get the hell out of here!"
"Sure, whatever you say. I'm not falling for it."
>"Fine then. try contacting her."
>Nightmare Moon points a hoof to her head.
>"Anonymous, is everything alright in there?"
>Luna's melodic voice comes from the other side of the door.
>Yeah, but I'm out of toilet paper.
>A moment goes by with no response.
>"Hello?"
>The door rattles lightly as apparently whoever is on the other side tries to open it.
>It definitely is not Luna, seeing as you your telepathic message went unanswered.
>You need to buy some time as you look around the room.
>You grab a bar of soap, making grunting noises as you chuck it in the toilet with a loud splash.
"I just need a few minutes."
>"Okay."
>You hear 'Luna' on the other side gag and walk away.
>Turning back to the mirror, Nightmare Moon looks at you, amused.
"It bought us time. So if that isn't Luna, who is it, and where is the real one? And how did you know?"
>"I could already sense when she got on the bed with you, she was trying to draw energy from you."
"So that intense sensation was her, uh, drawing energy from me?"
>She shakes her head.
>"No, that was me using every ounce of strength I had to get your attention before it was too late."
>As if to prove her point, she takes a deep breath.
"So then, if she isn't Luna, who is she?"
>"Not who, what. It is a changeling, Anonymous."
>You know a little about changelings from the folklore tales from Earth.
"Energy? Don't they feed off the bodily fluids from the target, like blood?"
>"What? No! They feed off of love. Wow, your world really is sick."
"Fuck you. Where is the real Luna, then?"
>Frustration mounts in Nightmare Moon.
>"I don't know! Just get out of here!"
>With that, the reflection in the mirror returns to that of your actual reflection.
>You open the door to the bathroom, making your way quietly down the hallway.
>Now you wish you would have spent more time exploring the castle, as the only way you remember to get to the main doors is past Luna's room.
>And unfortunately, the faux Luna is already waiting for you in the hallway outside her room.
"You know, I'm not feeling so well now, I should probably get home."
>"You just need to rest. Come in my room and lay down, you'll feel better."
>Shit, you should have just tired to fumble your way around the castle for another exit.
>She locks eyes with you, as if focusing on something.
"I just really need to get home, Luna. I'm sorry."
>Her expression suddenly hardens.
>"They said you were an oddball, but I expected my power would still work."
>Shit shit shit.
"Uh, are you feeling okay, Luna?"
>Her eyes suddenly flash to an eerie green, as her voice changes.
>"I'm fine, luckily I always have a backup plan."
>As her horn begins to glow green with magic, you make a sprint for it down the hallway.
>You don't make it far before a searing pain hits you square in between your shoulder blades.
>You fall forward onto your stomach, feeling consciousness slipping away.
>Hoofsteps slowly begin to get louder as the thing approaches you.
>"Hm. Nighty night, freak."

>You groggily come to your senses to the sound of dripping water.
>A musty, earthen smell brings you around a little quicker.
>Fuck, please don't be a cave.
>Slowly sitting upright, your eyes take a while to adjust to the dim light of wherever you are.
>Yep, it's a cave.
>Wonderful.
"Hello?"
>The echo of your voice is the only response you get.
>You stand up, hunching over a bit so as not to whack your head on the ceiling.
>Unfortunately, you still cannot see well as you try to feel your way along through the dark.
>Hell if you know where you're going, but it beats just sitting here.
>Wherever this cave is, it seems the changeling that sent you here didn't stick around to guard you.
>Several stumbles and trips later, you make it into a large room where you can actually stand up straight.
>There are a couple of small torches on the walls that give off at least some light.
>You contemplate grabbing one, but they have essentially nothing you can hold onto without burning yourself.
"Bullshit. Why couldn't I at least get a flashlight?"
>"Hello?"
>You jump as a familiar voice echoes from nearby.
"Luna?"
>"Anon? Where are you?"
>You cannot help but laugh at the question.
"Hell if I know. A big room?"
>A few seconds later, Luna's form appears out of another passageway.
>As the light hits her eyes, you can tell she likely awoke not long ago as well.
>You stop yourself before you go over to her.
>Can you hear me?
>[Yes, Anon. It is me.]
>You briskly walk over to her, embracing.
"Are you okay?"
>"Not exactly. I assume Chrysalis cast a spell upon me, because I seem to be unable to use any magic."
"So that's her name?"
>Luna stumbles backward a bit in response.
>"What? How do you know about this?"
>Her facial expression continues to twist and contort with shock.
>"Wait, why are you here? She should have been going after you. But if she did, how are you not under her spell?!"
"It's a long story, Luna, maybe later when we get out of he-"
>Luna quickly begins to simmer with anger.
>"No, Anonymous. You will explain yourself now."
"Okay, I may have gotten a little INsight to who the fake you really was."
>The dam holding back her anger bursts.
>"ANONYMOUS! Did I NOT tell you keep away from Nightmare Moon?!"
"Yes, but if she hadn't told me, I'd be up shit creek, wouldn't I?"
>"This is not a creek of shit?!"
>Luna takes a moment to circle around the room.
"Well, when you put it that way it doesn't seem as intelligent."
>Still fuming, Luna stops.
>"We will discuss this later Anonymous. After we find a way out of this cave system."
"So you suggest wandering in here till we find an exit? In the dark?"
>"Do you have another plan to suggest?"
"Lead the way, then."

      * * * * *

>"Spiiike! Could you answer the door?! I'm just about finished with this book!"
>You leap off the ladder you were on and pad over to the door.
"I got it, Twilight."
>You pull it open to see Anonymous standing there.
"Hey, what's up?"
>"I don't have time for idle chit chat, where's Twilight?"
>His gruff demeanor takes you aback, especially since he usually talks with you for at least a bit when he visits.
"Er, she's in the basement finishing up a book. You know how she is."
>He walks by you without a word or a glance.
>You shudder as you close the door.
>Something isn't right here...

    * * * * *

"Finally, sunlight!"
>You squint as your eyes take what seems like forever to adjust.
>"Well, what sunlight is left. We must have been in there for six hours, look how low the sun is in the sky."
>You dust yourself off the best you can as you look around.
"So, where are we?"
>Luna doesn't answer as she takes in her surroundings as well.
>The two of you didn't say much as you wandered around through the twisting passages of the cave.
>You needed silence to try to hear any sign of wind to signify an exit.
>Plus, you could tell Luna was still rather unhappy with you about talking with Nightmare.
>Even if it did save you from the changeling.
>After a moment, she spreads her wings.
>"I am not for certain, but I have an idea of which way we must head. Jump on."
>You are hesitant to do so.
"Luna, I'm bigger than you are, are you sure I-"
>"There is no time to waste! My sister will be back at the castle at any moment with that.... thing there waiting!"
>You oblige her as you gingerly get on her back and wrap your arms around her neck.
>She doesn't strain at all as she leaps into the air, quickly gaining altitude and speed.
>"Be sure to hold on tight, if you fall I cannot catch you with magic."
>You don't need to be told twice.
>As you look ahead, you already can see the silhouette of Canterlot off in the distance.
"I guess we weren't as far away as I thought we were."
>"No, I knew we would not be far. Chrysalis would not have wasted much time in disposing of us. Just long enough for her plan to be put to action."
"So what happened to you, anyway?"
>Luna huffs.
>"I did not get far. She was waiting for me when I teleported to the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, where my sister supposedly was."
"What would your sister have been doing out there? I thought you said she was in Pintonesia?"
>As she continues to increase her speed, you hold on ever tighter.
>"Celestia was to return to Canterlot this evening, she was traveling with her guards. I unfortunately did not give much thought to the logic of being near the Everfree, I just knew she needed my help."
>Luna definitely has gotten faster, as the two of you are already almost to Ponyville.
>A green flash of light down below catches you eye.
"Hey, isn't that Spike?"
>"We do not have time for visits, Anon."
>Judging by the way he is frantically waving at you, something is amiss.
"I think he's in trouble Luna. Head down there."
>She obliges you by rapidly descending.
>By the time Luna's hooves touch the ground, Spike is nearly out of breath.
"Spike, what's wrong?"
>"You.... Twilight.....You...... Here."
>"Take a moment to catch your breath, Spike."
>After a minute, Spike finally has a bit of his composure back.
>"Anon, unless you can be in two places at once, we have a problem. Twilight's acting all weird since you, or the fake you came over to visit about an hour ago."
>You turn to Luna.
"Two of them now?"
>"Stay here with Spike, Anonymous. I will quickly get to the castle and make sure my sister is not in danger, then we will return."
"But-"
>"Please Anonymous. These are not creatures to be takes lightly."
"Fine."
>Luna turns and leaps into the air, her broad wings catching her as she soars off.
>You wait until she is nothing but a speck in the sky to turn around, looking towards the Center of Ponyville.
>She's nuts if she thinks you are going to wait.
>As you start running towards Twilight's treebrary in the distance, Spike calls after you.
>"Anonymous, didn't you hear what Luna said?!"
>You don't waste time looking back to answer him.
"I have selective hearing!"